Live Music · Indian Classical Music · Conversation & Performance Backstage Sessions: A Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain An intimate journey through rhythm, artistry, tradition, and storytelling with Ustad Akram Khan. Experience an intimate evening with acclaimed tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan as he celebrates the artistry and musical legacy of Ustad Zakir Hussain, the legendary tabla virtuoso whose artistry helped bring classical percussion to audiences around the world. Through personal stories, conversation, live tabla demonstrations, and performance, Akram Khan offers audiences a rare window into the music, tradition, and creative world behind the tabla. About Backstage Sessions Backstage Sessions brings audiences closer to exceptional artists and the creative worlds behind their music through an intimate experience built around Connection, Conversation and Performance. In “A Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain,” acclaimed tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan draws from his own remarkable musical journey and experiences sharing the stage with Zakir Hussain to offer a personal perspective on his artistry and legacy. A seventh-generation representative of the Ajrada Gharana with more than four decades on the international stage, Akram Khan brings both his own artistry and a lifetime immersed in the tradition of tabla to the evening. Through guided conversation, personal stories, and musical demonstrations, the experience explores rhythm, improvisation, lineage, collaboration, and the creative process before moving naturally into live performance. More than a tribute, the evening offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience a master tabla artist up close while discovering the stories, traditions, and musical ideas behind the performance. No prior knowledge of Indian classical music is needed. Backstage Sessions is designed as an invitation to come closer: to meet the artist, understand the stories behind the music, and then experience that music differently when it is performed live. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Communities and Artists Shifting Culture (CASC) Cultural Project Grants Program for making this event possible. What to Expect An intimate conversation with Ustad Akram Khan Personal stories and reflections on Ustad Zakir Hussain Insights into the tradition and lineage of the Ajrada Gharana Live tabla demonstrations and exploration of rhythm Stories about collaboration, improvisation, and musical creativity A live tabla performance Event Details Presented by: Raga Echoes & Zameen Art Society Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 Time: 7:00 P.M. onwards Artist: Ustad Akram Khan Location: Zameen Art House, Granville Island · 1515 Anderson Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R5 About Ustad Akram Khan Ustad Akram Khan is a seventh-generation representative of the Ajrada Gharana, one of India’s traditional schools of tabla. With more than four decades of experience, he has performed extensively as both a soloist and accompanist internationally. His career has included performances and collaborations with celebrated musicians including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Sultan Khan, and Ustad Zakir Hussain, among others. Deeply committed to preserving and passing forward the Ajrada tradition, Akram Khan continues its legacy through performance, teaching, and international lecture-demonstrations. About Raga Echoes Foundation A Platform for Cross-Cultural Live Music. Raga Echoes Foundation is a British Columbia-based live music production company creating thoughtfully curated experiences rooted in music, culture, and storytelling. Founded by partners in life and music, Aakash Mehta and Priya Joy, Raga Echoes creates meaningful, high-calibre stages that bring audiences closer to exceptional artists and their stories. Creative Direction of Raga Echoes is led by Creative Director Glen D’Mello, whose background in performance and artistic direction brings a theatrical and immersive lens to each experience. Raga Echoes is supported in its development by Nina Buddhdev – The Bandish Network (ACCA), who serves as Strategic & Artistic Development Advisor. Nina brings expertise in strategic direction, artistic development, industry positioning, partnerships, and relationship-building, supporting Raga Echoes as it continues to grow its artistic programming, profile, and reach. Backstage Sessions by Raga Echoes extends this vision beyond the traditional concert, bringing audiences closer to the artist and the creative world behind the music. Raga Echoes gratefully acknowledges Zameen Art Society and Nina Buddhdev for their partnership and support in bringing this presentation to life.